Ring of Fire Trail in Tennessee

An exciting mix of history and music awaits on the Ring of Fire Trail, which weaves its way through a rustic landscape punctuated with wineries and small towns.

Hendersonville

Head out of Nashville toward Hendersonville, former home of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. Pay homage to the musical pair at their gravesites in the town where they lived for decades. Marinas, boat-access and golf courses make Hendersonville on Old Hickory Lake a go-to place for recreation, too. Fishing tournaments and river cruises are popular along this lake.

Hendersonville is also the gateway to a history cloaked landscape of farms and small towns. Stately homes and two nearby fort sites give visitors a glimpse into frontier life. The circa-1790 Rock Castle is an architectural gem of hand-hewn limestone.

Civil War Sites

Following Highway 25, travellers reach Castalian Springs’ Cragfont, a mansion built in 1802, and Bledsoe’s Fort Historical Park, which has log and stone cabins, remnants of a stronghold built following the American Revolution.

Union and Confederate armies tore through Trousdale County during the American Civil War. Hartsville Train Depot Living History Museum tells the story. Explore more towns along the trail including historic Dixon Springs, Monoville, Pleasant Shade and Gainesboro.

In Celina, set up camp at Dale Hollow Dam Recreation Area. In Red Boiling Springs, visitors can stay at the Thomas House, tour a museum and see a musical at the dinner theatre.

Rural Tennessee

The region’s rural roots spring up at open-air, fresh produce markets and berry farms along Highway 52. Wineries in Lafayette, Portland and Springfield earn high praise.

Travellers can see a trading post and camp for long hunters-turned-stagecoach stop at Port Royal State Park near Adams, which is listed on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. On your way back to Nashville, pass through Goodlettsville, where costumed interpreters demonstrate living history at Mansker’s Station.

For more information on this or any other Deep South Trails, please get in touch!